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Fewer cars (than normal roads), ex-racers, closed roads. I'm sure someone out there could do the stats.
Meanwhile
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They are undoubtedly good drivers, but remember that most crashes happen at junctions, i.e. where people want to go in different directions. If everybody's going in the same direction, it's all a lot easier. There are very few junctions in pro races, i.e. only where the cars are taken off the course before the finish, or where there is a section of route that's not suitable for cars. There is obviously some potential for crashes even so, but DSs have such a strong interest in the riders that they can generally be expected to pay close attention to them. As we have seen in recent years, the main problems, including a number of fatal crashes, have come from motorcycles used in the race. These have a similar ability to be moved laterally as non-motorised bikes and are more easily missed, e.g. the stopped motorcycle in the Tour of Flanders.
But yes, there must be a point to why people say DSs should be former riders. They've seen it all from the other side and are able to apply that when driving.
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I drove the neutral service car at the Chittern RR one day as a favour. Fun, nerve wracking and terrifying. Getting screamed at over the radio to move up on a road that wasn't straight when I could just about see a car coming in the other direction, knowing that I might make it if I absolutely pinned it but there were lots of guys trying to move up and one guy making a meal of getting his bidon back in the cage. All the while a kid I'd never met in the passenger seat ready to change wheels was pissing himself with nervous laughter. Maximum respect to the guys doing this when the stakes are infinitely higher and they're on TV.
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hippy
Oliver Schick
mrJL
@tbc
Watching that Sunweb video (and the Movistar series, and MS' Backstage Pass or whatever it's called now) I'm struck again by how good directeurs sportif are at driving.
Or at least, I'm impressed there aren't more accidents given that they're often driving at speed between groups, overtaking other cars, dodging motos, all while delivering tactics, handing out bottles, watching TV, listening to race radio and communicating with their riders.
Often on roads that would be hairy to drive on if you were giving driving your full attention.
It genuinely is impressive and terrifying.